1. United States Constitution
Chapter 2, Section 2
Chapter 2, Section 2

2. I. Drafting the Constitution
A. Constitutional Convention
1st: Fall of 1786
2nd: May 1787
James Madison
I. Drafting the Constitution
A. Constitutional Convention
1st: Fall of 1786
1st Constitutional Convention is called in the fall of 1786 but only 5 states send representatives. Called by James Madison and George Washington due to the many frustrations with the Articles of Confederation. Original goal was the fix the articles, but all agreed they needed to start over so they agreed to meet in Spring to begin
2nd: May 1787
2nd begins May 1787 with Washington elected president of the Convention…this is the one where all the work happened. This turning point in American History took place in Philadelphia
James Madison-Father of the Constitution
He kept detailed records of the top secret proceedings and helped guide the meetings
Others involved: Roger Sherman, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington

3. Key Delegates at the Constitutional Convention
Roger Sherman
Alexander Hamilton
Benjamin Franklin
James Madison
George Washington

4. B. Compromises The Great Compromise Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan
The Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
B. Compromises
The Great Compromise
Virginia Plan: 3 Branches; Bicameral Legislature; Reps chosen by state population (gave more power to large states)
New Jersey Plan: Small state rebuttal; Unicameral Legislature; Each state has an equal number of reps
Connecticut Plan (aka Great Compromise)
Upper House (Senate) Equal Representation
Lower House (House of Reps) Proportional Representation
This first major Compromise was a major step for the convention, but led to the issue of how to count representation
Three-Fifths Compromise
Slaves were 30-40% of the pop in some southern states and they wanted slaves counted for representation, but not for taxes. The North objected and they decided that the slaves would be counted as 3/5 for everything

6. C. Checks & Balances State vs. Federal Power Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
C. Checks and Balances: created to keep one group or person from gaining too much power
State v. Federal
One major issue for the Framers was state vs federal power…who should have the most power? State Legislatures choose electors who choose the federal president (electoral college)
How much power each has is still fought over today and was a major cause of the Civil War
Legislative Branch (Congress: Senate & House of Representatives): Make the laws
EX--Can reject appointments and treaties by the president, override a veto, impeach
JU--Can propose Constitutional amendments to override SCOTUS decisions, impeach
Executive Branch (President and the departments that help run the government): Enforces the laws
LE--veto bills, adjourn Congress in some situations
JU--appoints judges
Judicial Branch: Interprets the laws based on the Constitution
EX--declare Executive Actions to be unconstitutional
LE--declare laws to be unconstitutional
September 17, 1787 Constitution is signed by delegates from 12 states and the rush to ratification is on

8. II. Ratifying the Constitution
Federalists
Anti-Federalists
Ratification in 1789
Bill of Rights (1791)
A. Federalists
Supported the Constitution and said a strong central gov’t was needed for the country. Comes from federalism (splitting power between the central gov’t and state gov’ts). Popular in the cities and among the wealthy.
Published the Federalist Papers (85 essays) to push for ratification (specifically in NY but impacted voters elsewhere as well). Written anonymously by “Publius”. Actually written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison
B. Anti-Federalists
Against the Constitution. Feared a strong gov’t would lead to the kind of tyranny they just defeated. Did not want another war
Constitution did not protect individual rights. Felt the Constitution protected the educated and wealthy over ordinary people
C. Ratification
9th state ratified in Some final states ratified because they were promised a Bill of Rights. Eventually all 13 ratify the Constitution. (Rhode Island was the last in May of 1790, after the Bill of Rights passed the first Congress)
Madison pushed 10 Amendments through the 1st Congress. The Bill of Rights was ratified in Guaranteed individual freedoms like freedom of speech, religion, press, etc. 10th amendment gives the states the powers not granted to the federal government